Thread: Explanation into the Lame encoder? Please.

Ok, so I understand that to get true genuine 320 kbps quality mp3 files, they must be encoded from a lossless format. Also, most people who do this, especially people at What.cd seem to use the Lame encoder. I've done some research into it, but it appears to me that the Lame encoder is more of an addon/extension to an already existing mp3 encoder, however I'm not sure. Could someone please clarify what it is for me? and where to get it? and how to start it up for myself so that i can encode songs. I'm just a little boggled as to whether i need a specific mp3 encoder, and then if i need to implement the lame extension. Thank you for your time :]



-Oliver

If you're on What.cd, look up their tutorials for how to properly encode files.
Basically though, for Windows, you will use EAC (Exact Audio Copy). If you're on Mac, you'll use XLD.
These have all the encoders you need inside of them. Read through the tutorials on usage on What.cd to learn how to properly encode files for upload.

you can covert flac to lossy formats such as mp3 or ogg vorbis or directly rip an album to lossy formats. in order to rip an album to lame mp3, you can use EAC.
you need to download the lame version(newest) like 3.98. there are few different mp3 encoders as well such as Xing, Blade, FhG, but the lame is good for more accurate bitrate ecordings.
not just 320kbps bitrate there is variable bitrate preset as well. Generally knows as VBR. you can convert your album into 320, v2(~256) or v0(~192) by using lame.
the key is the compression method.
at what.cd, people normally upload an album in five different formats such as 320, V0, V2 also FLAC and ogg vorbis and yes they use lame encoder. you can simply download the lame's latest version like from softpedia. there are many sites. just google it :) and then use EAC to rip your album. you can select the compression program as lame in EAC setup.